"Candoliers" single holiday candle lights
CPSC Recall #94-029 - December 22, 1993
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 94-029 |
| Recall Date | December 22, 1993 |
| Remedy Type | Refund |
| Units Affected | Approximately 300,000 |
Where It Was Sold
| The Candoliers were distributed at Kmart and Builders Square during the 1993 holiday season. |
Product
"Candoliers" single holiday candle lights
Description
PRODUCT: Single light holiday electric candle decoration manufactured for Kmart and sold at Kmart and Builders Square stores during the 1993 Holiday season. The 300,000 Candoliers may be improperly wired and may also have untrimmed plastic around the metal portion of the plug. PROBLEM: The improper wiring could cause a shock. The Candoliers with untrimmed plastic could pose a fire or shock hazard. The product may function properly but should not be used. WHAT TO DO: Do not attempt to repair defective units. Consumers should immediately discontinue using the product. Beginning on Sunday, December 26, customers may take them back to any Kmart store or Builders Square for a full refund. WASHINGTON, DC -- Kmart, CPSC urge consumers who bought single holiday candle lights called "Candoliers" from Kmart during the 1993 holiday season to stop using them because the Candoliers may be improperly wired; they may also have untrimmed plastic around the metal portion of the plug. The improper wiring and untrimmed plastic on the plug could lead to shock, thermal burn or fire. Consumers may return the lights to any Kmart store or Builders Square for a full refund. When sold at Kmart stores, the single Candoliers were packaged in a clear plastic bag with a red cardboard package top reading "Trim A Home." The 10-inch single-light, cream colored candoliers, item #04-12-11, sold for 99 cents and have a clear bulb. The identical Candoliers, sold at Builders Square, were packaged two in a single poly bag and sold for $1.97. The code number of the Builders Square model is #112 3397. Kmart reported problems to the CPSC after testing the product in its Quality Assurance and Technical Design facility. Kmart has had one report of a house fire, but no injuries attributed to the Candolier. Kmart has been unable to confirm any additional information or details about the fire incident. Builders Square has received no reports of injury or fire. Both Kmart and Builders Square stores have been instructed to remove the merchandise from the stores' shelves. When plugged in, the Candolier may present a fire hazard due to an excessive amount of plastic around the metal portion of the plug which could prevent a proper fit into the electrical socket. The Candoliers which have been improperly wired will continue to work but may present an electric shock hazard. Approximately 300,000 Candoliers were distributed at Kmart and Builders Square during the 1993 holiday season. Consumers should return all single-light Candoliers to any Kmart or Builders Square store beginning Sunday, 12/26/93 for a full refund. Consumers should note that this is the second year that Kmart has recalled the single candle Candolier. Kmart also recalled last year's Candoliers. All of the 1992 and 1993 Candoliers should be returned to any Kmart store. CPSC's mission is to protect the public from unreasonable risks of injury and death associated with consumer products. The Commission's objective is to reduce the estimated 28.6 million injuries and 21,700 deaths associated each year with the 15,000 different types of consumer products under CPSC's jurisdiction.
Hazard
The Candoliers may be improperly wired; they may also have untrimmed plastic around the metal portion of the plug. The improper wiring and untrimmed plastic on the plug could lead to shock, thermal burn or fire.
Incidents & Injuries
Kmart has had one report of a house fire, but no injuries attributed to the Candolier.
Remedy Instructions
Do not attempt to repair defective units. Consumers should immediately discontinue using the product. Beginning on Sunday, December 26, customers may take them back to any Kmart store or Builders Square for a full refund.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Refund at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly, either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Refund) at no cost to you.
If the product caused a fire or burn injury, document the incident with photos and preserve the product if it is safe to do so. Report the incident to the CPSC at SaferProducts.gov and to your local fire department. Contact the manufacturer to inform them of the incident, they are required to track and report injuries to CPSC. You may also want to consult a personal injury attorney, as fire and burn injuries caused by defective products can be grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer.
In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.
If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney, parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.